Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1916 — COMMON LAW WIFE GETS $3,000 [ARTICLE]

COMMON LAW WIFE GETS $3,000

Mont h ello Case Attracting Much Attention Is Compromised. Vonticello, October -i.—The Ray case came to an abrupt close this morning in the circuit court when a compromise was effected giving $3,000 to Mrs. Jessie Ray, who will have no further claim as widow on the estate of Frank Ray, whose common law wife she claims to be. It is understood that there had been a number of efforts made before the trial began to compromise thei, case,, but the attorneys could not get together. The present compromise was arranged after several hours’ parleying this morning. Mrs. Ray’s attorneys, it is said, suggested the com prom ie. The attorneys for the defendant. Joseph 11. Ross, claim that they had knowledge of Mrs. Ray’s past life that would have reflected on her character, as well as those of a number of men who have a'ppeared in the cjise. They-preferred, however, to compromise by giving her a small sum of money rather than have the estate unsettled while the case was carried through the courts.